Frequently Asked Questions
Topics
Alcohol
Alcohol may only be consumed at a reserved picnic site, pavilion, or ball field. Your reservation permit exempts you and your guests from the St. Louis City ordinance against public consumption of alcohol. Visitors to the Park are otherwise subject to this ordinance.
Barbecuing, Fireworks, and Ground Fires
Barbecuing is only allowed at picnic sites, and ashes must be disposed of in affixed barbecue pits. Fireworks are prohibited. Ground fires are only allowed at the Stone Shelter by permit only.
Bounce houses and inflatables
Bounce houses and other inflatables are not allowed in Tower Grove Park.
Curfew
Without a special events permit, Park curfew is 10pm to 5am.
Disruptive Behavior
Tower Grove Park is a place to relax and have fun. Visitors engaging in excessively disruptive behavior, or disturbing plants or animals, will be asked to leave. Please call the Park Ranger at (314) 565-4613 if you notice disruptive behavior in the Park.
Dogs
Dogs must remain on leash in Tower Grove Park. As a public space within the City of St. Louis, the Park is subject to St. Louis City Ordinance 66384 which states that outside of private property, dogs must be kept on a leash. Tower Grove Park cares about the safety of your pet and asks visitors to keep dogs on a leash at all times and to clean up any messes. A summary of St. Louis pet laws can be seen here.
Drones, Kites, and Model Planes
The flying of kites and model planes is permitted. Drones are subject to FAA regulations.
Feeding Ducks and Geese
Please do not feed the ducks and geese in the Park. These animals find enough natural food in the Park's ponds and waterways. Feeding them bread or other human food encourages dependency and obesity, inhibiting their ability to fly and other natural behaviors.
Fishing and Crawdadding
Fishing in the Park ponds and waterways is prohibited. However, visitors may fish for crawdads (also known as crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs) out of the Park's Lily Ponds. These are invasive species that destroy the walls of the ponds, and it helps the Park to have them removed.
Foraging/Removing Plants
Do not pick flowers, fruits, nuts, or remove any vegetation (including trees and shrubs) without authorization of Tower Grove Park.
Glass Bottles
Glass containers are not permitted anywhere within the Park.
Golf Cart and Mopeds
No one under the age of 16 can drive a golf cart. Drivers must have a valid license and insurance. When operating a vehicle, a driver can not go over 20 mph or drive on Sidewalks, Pathways and Closed Roads. Drivers can not drive careless, reckless or while intoxicated.
Hammocks and Slacklining
Affixing anything to trees is damaging, including hammocks and slacklines. Visitors are welcome to bring free-standing frame hammocks or slacklines into the park, but please do not attach hammocks, slacklines, or anything else to trees or historic structures. (St. Louis Code of Ordinance 22.48.180 section C)
Off-path skateboarding, biking, and rollerblading
Skateboarding and other similar activities on the steps of the Pool Pavilion, Stupp Center amphitheater, and other historic Park locations is destructive and means that the Park must spend additional dollars to fix and maintain these areas. We welcome skateboarding and biking on the Park paths; please do not skateboard on historic structures.
Photography
Photography permits are not needed in the Park. Please be respectful of other photography sessions or events that may be in process when you arrive to take photos.
Releasing Animals
Do not release any wildlife (domesticated or other) into the Park.
Rentals: Pavilions, Picnics, Races, Fields, Tennis
Rentals for these sites must go through the Park's recreation coordinator. Please contact the recreation coordinator at 314-771-4408 for further information specific to your event.
Rentals: Special Events
For any large scale special event, please contact the Events and Venues Manager at 314-771-4454.
Ruins
For your safety, do not climb on the ruins by the Lily Ponds. The Park offers two playgrounds for your climbing enjoyment.
Soccer Fields
Soccer fields are by permit only to protect the turf unnecessary damage.
Questions
Where/When is the next Farmer's Market/Food Truck Friday/FestivaL of Nations?
Please view the Park's Calendar of Events here.
Where is the stupp Center/Piper palm House/Music STand?
You can find all venues, buildings, and historic sites on our interactive map here.
Is tower grove park a private park? a city park? How is it organized?
Tower Grove Park is the only city park in the City of St. Louis to be managed by an independent board and staff. It is not a private park; the City of St. Louis owns the park land and structures. However, per Henry Shaw’s estate, Park operations are overseen by a Board of Commissioners and managed by an independent staff.
Tower Grove Park is a city park, but it does not receive maintenance services from the City of St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry.
How is tower grove park funded?
The Park requires more than $1 million annually in donations, grants, and other private support in order to operate and keep the Park looking beautiful. Donations to the Park are tax-deductible, and you can learn more here.
Tower Grove Park typically receives around 50% of its annual budget from the City of St. Louis. About 15% of the Park’s revenue comes from rentals and other earned income.
A common misconception is that Henry Shaw provided for Tower Grove Park’s financial needs in perpetuity through his estate. But he did leave a wonderful gift for the city of St. Louis that you can help preserve for future generations with your own support.
what is tower grove park's relationship to the Missouri botanical garden?
Tower Grove Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden were both founded by 19th century philanthropist Henry Shaw, and per his estate, the President of the Garden serves as a Commissioner of Tower Grove Park throughout his tenure. The two organizations frequently collaborate, but there is no other formal relationship.
how big is tower grove park?
The Park is 289 acres, and is the second-largest in the city of St. Louis (Forest Park is 1,300 acres). It is 1.45 miles long and 0.3 miles wide. The outer running path is approximately a 3-mile loop.
what are the rules and regulations at tower grove parK?
We work hard to keep our park clean, safe, and fun for everyone to use. In order to achieve this goal, we ask our park visitors to respect the guidelines for Park use. This includes but is not limited to: keeping dogs on leashes; consuming alcohol only on approved sites; reserving pavilions as needed; not feeding or releasing wildlife; using only approved BBQ sites for cooking events; not fishing or picking flowers; disposing of trash and cigarette butts in a proper receptacle; and not climbing on the Ruins or damaging our beautiful trees and landscapes. Download the complete ordinances, rules and regulations.